FAQs for the Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
We are purchasing a 2 bedroom apartment in Hackney with a mortgage from Aviva Equity Release. We have a lawyer but Aviva Equity Release says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Aviva Equity Release panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that Aviva Equity Release use our lawyer?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Aviva Equity Release
I do hope you can help me. My solicitor is informing me me that she is duty-bound to order a Local Authority search because the firm are on the Aviva Equity Release approved lawyer panel. Is my lawyer correct?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with Aviva Equity Release your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Aviva Equity Release’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Aviva Equity Release. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
What tools are available to find a local solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 10 kilometers to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel tool on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Aviva Equity Release solicitor panel.
My grandmother passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the property. The house had a small mortgage left on it of around £8000. I want to have the title changed into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Aviva Equity Release , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then Aviva Equity Release will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Aviva Equity Release mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release panel is any good?
obtaining recommendations is a good start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the solicitor conducting your transaction
I was thinking of purchasing my friend’s property. Once we agree a price, what’s the best way to proceed? I plan to obtain a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release. Is there anyway to cut out the solicitors to save us both money? My father said that years ago it was possible to take the documents into the local Land Registry office and they did the rest
If you are getting a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release involved you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. We would not encourage you to both use the same solicitors' firm. There are clear conflict of interest issues and it's not going to make a huge difference to the speed of the overall process. So as not to hold things us you should pass on your solicitors details to Aviva Equity Release. Feel free to use our search tool to look for a licensed conveyancer or solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel.
After much negotiation I have agreed a price on a house. My financial adviser suggested a solicitor I paid an upfront payment of 225. Soon after the conveyancers contacted me to say that they were not on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Aviva Equity Release panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.